Changes in caregiver strain over time in young adolescents with ADHD: the role of oppositional and delinquent behavior.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to identify the relationships between caregiver strain among parents of young adolescents with ADHD and child characteristics during a 1-year period.


METHODS
Parents of 52 middle-school-aged youth with ADHD participated in this study and completed two evaluations 1 year apart.


RESULTS
Ratings of oppositional and delinquent behavior best predicted levels of caregiver strain, and change over time did not significantly add to the equation. Patterns of change in caregiver strain indicated important individual differences.


CONCLUSIONS
Oppositional, delinquent behavior was the best predictor of caregiver strain and suggests that preventing and treating these child behavior problems should be a high priority when working with young adolescents with ADHD. Given the variability in parent responses to changes in oppositional and delinquent behavior, it may also be important to address personal coping strategies for parents of youth exhibiting high rates of these behaviors.
Evans
Steven W
SW
James Madison University, Alvin V. Baird Attention and Learning Disabilities Center, Harrinburg, VA 22807, USA. evanssw@jmu.edu
Sibley
Maggie
M
Serpell
Zewelanji N
ZN
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires